The Imo State chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association, over the weekend, described the just conducted local government election in Imo State as a sham and mockery of democracy.
Speaking to newsmen in Owerri, the chairman of Imo State NBA, Chris Ihentuge, said, “From observation and report of our committee, the local government election was not an election. It was a sham. It’s a mockery of democracy and an insult to Imo people because no election happened.
“I’m sure both the government and the state Independent Electoral Commission were not ready for the election that day. As you saw from the meeting, that was the opinion of everyone. They wasted people’s time and the state’s funds in the name of election, without planning for any election. We condemn that.
“We are asking the ISIEC chairman to resign because he doesn’t have the willpower to conduct the election and apologize to Imo people for that insult.
“Imagine that there was no inauguration of the Election Petition Tribunal before the election. That tells you the government was not ready for the election.
The chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, John Iwuala, had equally said, “APGA has advanced plans to challenge ISIEC’s infractions in court, adding, “Apart from violating its guidelines, materials were absent, failure of officials to show up at polling centres, failure to publish the list of candidates and their particulars, and failure to provide a window for substitution of candidates, among other infractions.”
The Peoples Democratic Party has through its Publicity Secretary, Lancelot Obiaku, described the local government election as rape on democracy.
He said, “The election didn’t follow the procedures and guidelines required of such election.”
However, the ISIEC chairman, Charles Ejiogu, had stated that the election followed the ISIEC guidelines and procedures.
Ejiogu said, “The people have elected their leaders.”